Insulating structure and method of assembling



Dec. 22, 1953 Filed Dec. 23, 1950 W. G. SPIEGELHALTER INSULATING STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor: William G. Spiegelhalbel,

b5 His A'Ltorne g.

Dec. 22. 1953 w. G. SPIEGELHALTER 2,663,448

INSULATING STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING Filed Dec. 23, 1950 1 2 sheets-sheet 2 Fig.4.

J My /3 J d /4-::

' Inventor:

William G. Spiegelhalter,

His Attorney.

Patented Dec. 22, 1953 INSULATING STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING William G. Spiegelhalter, Erie, Pa., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application December 23, 1950, Serial No. 202,528

15 Claims.

My invention relates to spaced wall cabinets and more particularly to insulating structures therefor and to method of assembling such insulating structures.

An insulating structure composed of a plurality of spaced sheets of a material of high refiectivity, such as aluminum foil, has previously been proposed. However, in many spaced wall structures, such as household refrigerators and home freezers, the outer wall is flanged inwardly adjacent the access opening, complicating the problem of assembly within this outer wall of an inner wall or liner and a surrounding insulating structure of the above type. By my invention. I provide a simple arrangement whereby an insulating structure utilizing spaced sheets of a pliant material of high reflectivity may be preassembled on the liner partially collapsed to facilitate insertion through the opening in the outer wall, and then expanded to completely fill the space between the inner and outer Walls.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved insulating structure which facilitates assembly thereof within a spaced wall cabinet.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved arrangement for facilitating assembly within a spaced wall cabinet of an insulating structure which includes spaced sheets of a material of high reflectivity.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved method for facilitating assembly of such insulating structures within a spaced wall cabinet.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

In carrying out the objects of my invention, concentric envelopes of a pliant material of high reflectivity are maintained in spaced relationship by hollow inflatable spacers. Air is withdrawn or allowed to leak from the spacers to partially collapse the insulating structure for facilitating insertion of this structure within the narrowed opening of the outer wall, and air is supplied or allowed to return to the spacers to inflate the spacers for expanding the structure to fill the space between the inner and outer walls.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is an elevation view, partly in section, of a refrigerated cabinet embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view of a portion of Fig. 2 showing the insulating structure in a partially collapsed position; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the insulating structure being inserted within the cabinet; Fig. 5 is an enlarged view showing details of a spacer; Fig. 6 is a view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 and further illustrating portions of the insulating sheets; and Fig. 7 is a view, slightly reduced, showing a portion of one of the individual insulating sheets employed. 7

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a cabinet I of the spaced wall type including an outer wall 2 and a spaced inner wal or liner 3. The liner 3 defines a storage compartment 4. The access opening of the compartment 4 is closed by a lid 5. The outer wall 2 is flanged inwardly adjacent the access opening, as indicated at 6, and the inner wall 3 is flanged outwardly adjacent the access opening, as indicated at l. The space between the inner and outer walls adjacent the access opening is closed by a breaker strip 8 of a material of low heat conductivity.

In order to maintain the desired temperature difference between the ambient temperature and that to be maintained within the compartment 4 an insulating structure 9 is arranged between the inner and outer walls of the cabinet. This insulating structure includes a plurality of con centric envelopes l 0, each of which is composed of a plurality of sheets of a pliant material of high reflectivity, such as aluminum foil. To secure the maximum insulating value, it is necessary that the successive layers or envelopes of aluminum foil be maintained in spaced relationship, and to accomplish this result, a plurality of spacers H. are provided. In the specific cabinet illustrated, the inner and outer walls are of generally rectangular cross-section and the envelopes H] are similarly of rectangular crosssection. With this arrangement, the spacers H are positioned at the corners of the inner and outer walls and extend diagonally therebetween, the inner end i la of each spacer being secured in any suitable manner, as by gluing, to the corresponding corner of the inner wall 3. In addition to the corner spacers I I, one or more similar intermediate spacers can be employed, arranged perpendicular to the inner and outer walls, depending on the size of the cabinet.

Since the outer wall 2 is flanged inwardly in the area of the access opening of the cabinet, as

indicated at 6, the cross-sectional area of the.

9 into the cabinet is less than the cross-sectional area of the interior of the major portion of the outer wall 2. Since, in the assembled cabinet, it is desirable that the envelopes Ill be equally spaced throughout the distance between the inner and outer walls, a problem in assembling the inner wall 3 and the insulating structure through the smaller. opening available in the outer wall is presented. It is more convenient and more satisfactory to pre-assemble the insulating structure on the inner wall 3 before insertion in the cabinet. I accomplish the result of permitting such pre-assembly and at the same time facilitating insertion of the assembled. insulating. structure and liner through the opening in. the cab.- inet While still achieving a final cabinet struc ture in which the insulating structure fills the space between the inner and outer walls by making the spacers I I in the form of hollow inflatable elements.

Details of the construction. of. the spacers II are shownin Figs. 5 and 6. As there illustrated, each of the spacers 1 I is made of a flexible material, such as rubber, molded to provide a hollow inflatable structure. A plurality of spaced slots or recesses I2. are also molded in. the spacers to provide for receiving the aluminum sheets of which the envelopes I are formed. In the form illustrated each of the envelopes Ii) is formed from four individual aluminum sheets I3, such individual sheets being shown in detail" in Fig. 7. The sheets I3 are formed with slots, or recesses I4 at the ends, these slots providing tabs I5 which, in the-assembled position of' the sheets, are received within corresponding slots I2 in the spacers lI'. Thus each of the envelopes III. is formed of four sheets- I teach extending in overlapping, end-to-end relationship parallel to and in. spaced relationship with the. side walls of. the inner and outer walls of the cabinet. The ad'- jacent ends of the sheets I3 of each of the envelopes I0 extend within the slots I2 and overlap each other as indicated at. 16. The ends are secured to each other in any suitable manner, as by gluing, and may also be securedto the adjacent portion of the corresponding spacer, II. Alternatively,,the gluing of the sheets I3 to the spacers may be omitted. afi'ording some sliding movement of the envelopes Ill relative to the spacers and permitting the spacers to adjust themselves more readily to variations in. cabinet size.

Referring to Fig. 1,.it can be seen that,.in the assembled position,.the insulating structure flex-- tends. beyond the overlapping flange 6' and the structure could not'be inserted through the openingin the outer walls 2. However, by making the spacers of hollow inflatable construction. in. accordance with my, invention, the. insulating structure may be partially collapsed. to facilitatev in.- sertion of the structure within the cabinet through the opening in the outer wall. To. facilitate the inflating and deflating of the spacers II, each of' the spacers is provided. with a valve. I! for entry of air into and withdrawal of air from the interior of, the spacers II. The spacers may be made so that they normally assume the expanded position shown in Fig. 6 and are collapsed upon withdrawal of air from the interior of the spacers. Alternatively, the spacers may normally assume a collapsed. position and be moved to the expanded position illustrated in Fig; 6 upon the supplying to the interi'or of' the spacers a pressure exceeding atmospheric.

In either case, in carrying out my invention the insulating structure, including the spacers II and the envelopes I0, is first assembled on the exterior of the inner wall or liner 3 to form a unitary structure for insertion within the outer wall 2. The insulating structure is then partially collapsed-to. the position. illustrated in Fig. 4 and in greater detail in Fig. 3, for example by withdrawing air from the spacers through the valves IT. The resultant partial collapse of the spacers II moves the concentric envelopes II] toward. each: other" reducing the cross-sectional area of the combined liner and insulating struc ture. assembly so that it may readily be inserted through the opening in the outer wall. After the liner and insulating structure has been received within the interior of the outer wall 2, the" valves H; which are readily accessible from the topofa the cabinet, are opened allowing air to enter the spacers I I, effecting an expansion of the spacers I I. and of the overall insulating. structure to the conditionshown in Fig. 1. Thus; the liner and insulating structure are. readily inserted in the pre-assembled' condition through the opening in the outer wall and, after such assembly,.the insulating structure is readily expanded so asto distribute the envelopes. ID in evenly spaced concentric relationship between the inner and outer- Walls.

The structure described. above is applied to the side walls of the liner 3, since this particular portion of the structure is that which. introduces the greatest difficulty in. assembly. An insulating structure which also-uses spaced sheets of a material of high reflectivity such as aluminum foil, is also employed; in the bottom'of the cabinet However,. since this bottom. structure may readily be inserted at an angle through the opening, in the outer wall, the hollow inflatable spacers are not employed. Inv lieu. of these spacers a frame In of the material of low heat conductivity is provided extending along, the perimeter of the interior. of the wallv 2. The frame I8 is provided with a plurality of spaced slots for receiving sheets I9 of. a material. of. high reflectivity, such. as. aluminum foil, andmain.- taining these sheets in proper spaced relationship. Inorder that the bottom.insulatingstructuremay interfit with the insulating structure assembled on the-liner, the frame is chamfered or beveled as-indicated at 20.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, I do not desire my invention to be limited to the particular construction shown and described and I intend by the appended claims to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secur by Letters Patent of the United. States is;

1.. An insulating, structure. for a spaced wall cabinet comprising a plurality of concentric en.- velopes adapted to be disposed between the spaced walls thereof, each of said envelopes. in-' cluding a. plurality. of sheets of apliantmateriali of highrefiectivity arranged. in end to end relationship, a plurality of hollow inflatable spacers arranged in spaced relationship and transversely with respect to. said. sheets, each of said spacers having a plurality of spaced slots therein, each of said sheets having a tab at each end received within a corresponding one of said slots, the tabs of; adjacent sheets of each envelope overlapping eachother and being secured; to each other, and means for affording deflation of. said spacers to partially collapse said structure for facilitating insertion thereof in the cabinet.

2. An insulating structure for a spaced wall cabinet comprising a plurality of concentric rectangular envelopes adapted to be disposed between the spaced walls thereof, each of said rectangular envelopes including a sheet of pliant material of high reflectivity forming each side thereof, a hollow inflatable spacer at each corner of said envelopes, each of said spacers having a plurality of spaced slots therein, each of said sheets having a tab at each end received within a corresponding one of said slots, the tabs of adjacent sheets of each envelope overlapping each other and being securedto each other, and means fOr affording deflation of saidspacers to partially collapse said structure for facilitating insertion thereof in the cabinet.

3. An insulating structure for a spaced wall cabinet comprising a plurality of concentric rectangular envelopes adapted to be disposed between the spaced walls thereof, each of said rectangular envelopes including a sheet of a pliant material of high reflectivity forming each side thereof, a hollow inflatable spacer diagonally positioned at each corner of said envelopes, each of said spacers having a plurality of spaced slots therein, each of said sheets having a tab at each end received in a corresponding one of said slots, the tabs of adjacent sheets of each envelope overlapping each other and being secured to each other, and means for affording deflation of said spacers to partially collapse said structure for facilitating insertion thereof in the cabinet.

4. A structure for insertion within the outer wall of a spaced wall cabinet comprising an inner wall, a plurality of sheets arranged to form a plurality of concentric envelopes surrounding said inner wall, each of said sheets being composed of a pliant material of high reflectivity, a plurality of hollow inflatable spacers secured to said inner wall for holding said sheets in spaced relationship, and means for aflording deflation of said spacers to partially collapse said structure for facilitating insertion thereof in the cabinet.

5. In a spaced wall cabinet including an inner Wall and an outer wall having an opening therein smaller than said cabinet, the method of insulating said cabinet which consists in providing a unitary insulating structure including a plurality of spaced parallel sheets of a pliant material of high reflectivity and hollow inflatable spacers having portions interposed between adjacent pairs of sheet for holding said sheets in spaced relationship, deflating said spacers to partially collapse said structure, inserting said structure within said outer Wall through said opening, and thereafter inflating said spacers for expanding said structure to fill the space between said walls.

6. In a spaced wall cabinet including an inner wall and an outer wall having an opening therein smaller than said cabinet, the method of insulating said cabinet which consists in providing a unitary insulating structure including a plurality of spaced parallel sheets of a pliant material of high reflectivity and hollow inflatable spacers having portions interposed between adjacent pairs of sheets for holding said sheets in spaced relationship, evacuating said spacers to partially collapse said structure, inserting said structure within said outer wall through said opening, and thereafter allowing air to enter said 6 spacers for expanding said structure to fill the space between said walls.

7. In a spaced wall cabinet including an inner wall and an outer wall having an opening therein smaller than said cabinet, the method of insulating said cabinet which consists in providing a unitary insulating structure including a plurality of spaced parallel sheets of a pliant material of high reflectivity and hollow inflatable spacers having portions interposed between adjacent pairs of sheets for holding said sheets in spaced relationship, allowing air to escape from said spacers to partially collapse said structure, inserting said structure within said outer wall through said opening, and supplying air to said spacers for expanding said structure to fill the space between said walls.

8. A cabinet comprising spaced outer and inner walls forming a storage compartment having an opening on one side thereof, said outer wall having an inwardly extending flange bordering said opening, an insulating structure mounted on the outer surface of said inner wall, said insulating structure including a plurality of sheets of pliant material of high reflectivity supported in spaced generally parallel relation to the respectively adjacent portions of said inner wall, a plurality of hollow inflatable spacers mounted on said inner wall constructed and arranged to support and maintain said sheets in spaced generally parallel relation between adjacent portions of said inner and outer walls, each of said spacers including a plurality of spaced supporting portions, each of said supporting portions being in' contact with and supporting a portion of oneof said sheets, and means for affording deflation of said spacers to partially collapse said insulating structure against said inner wall for facilitating insertion of said inner wall and said structure through the opening defined by said inwardly extending flange.

9. A cabinet comprising spaced outer and inner walls forming a storage compartment of rectangular cross-section having an opening on one side thereof, said outer wall having an inwardly extending flange bordering said opening, an insulating structure mounted on the outer surface of said inner wall, said insulating structure including a plurality of sheets of a pliant material of high reflectivity supported in spaced generally parallel relation to the respectively adjacent portions of said inner wall, a plurality of hollow inflatable spacers mounted on said inner wall and extending diagonally from the corners of said wall, said spacers being constructed and arranged to support and maintain said sheets in spaced generally parallel relation between adjacent portions of said inner and outer walls, each of said spacers including a plurality of spaced supporting portions, each of said supporting portions being in contact with and supporting a portion of one of said sheets, and means for affording deflation of said spacers to partially collapse said insulating structure against said inner wall for facilitating insertion of said inner wall and said structure through the opening defined by said inwardly extending flange.

10. A cabinet comprising spaced outer and inner walls forming a storage compartment having an opening on one side thereof, said outer wall having an inwardly extending flange bordering said opening, an insulating structure mounted on the outer surface of said inner wall, said insulating structure including a plurality of envelopes spaced concentrically with respect to said inner ageeaeae I? wallgeach of; said; envelopes. comprising a; plurality of sheets of a plianttmaterial; of highmeflectivity: arranged inv end: to end: relationship, a plurality of. hollow inflatable spacers mounted: in spacedrelationship on said' inner wall, each. of

said; spacers having a plurality of spaced. slots.

collapsesaid structure against said inner Wall for facilitating insertion of said inner wall and said structurethrough the'opening defined by saidinwardly extending flange.v

g 1 1'. An insulating structure for: a. spaced; wall cabinet. comprising a plurality of parallel sheets composed of apliant material of high reflectivity;

a; plurality of hollow inflatable. spacers for supporting sai'd: sheets in spacedrelationship between andiparallelto-adjacent spaced walls of said cabinet, each Off said spacershaving a number of spaced". supporting portions corresponding. to. the number. of said sheets; portions of each of said' sheet-s; being. directly secured to corresponding portions of: said spacers, andmeans affording deflation. of. saidspacers to; partially collapse saidstructure: for: facilitating. insertion: thereof between adjacent spaced walls of said cabinet.

12. A. structureas: defined by claim: 11 in which theepliantzmaterial. of high reflectivity is alumi:

numfoil:

13.. A structure as defined by claim 11 in. which the: means: afiording. deflation. of; each. of the spacers: includes a valve communicating with the;

interior thereof.

14. Arrinsulating structuret forg a. cabinet: of; the:

type having spaced inner and. outer; walls en;-

closing a storage compartment, said structure comprising a plurality of concentric' envelopes of a configuration. generally corresponding to that of the inner'andouterwalls'of said cabinet; each of; said envelopes being formed from a sheet of a pliant material.- of high reflectivity and: having a plurality of plane: surfaces and: a: corresponding. number of corners, a-plurality of hollow inflat able spacers for-holdingsaid: envelopes in spaced relationship; said spacers being diagonally arranged in supporting: contact with the corners of said envelopes; each? of. said spacers including a plurality of spaced supporting portions, each of said supporting portions being in contact with and. supporting. a corner portion of one of said envelopes, and. means for affording deflation of said spacers to. partially collapse said structure: for facilitating insertion thereof between the spaced inner and. outer wallsof said cabinet.

15; Aninsulating structure for a cabinet of the i type having spaced. innerand outer walls enclosing a: storage compartment of rectangular cross section, said structure comprising a plurality of concentric. rectangular envelopes adapted to' be disposed: between the spaced walls ofsaid cabinet in generally parallel: relation with adjacent portions of said walls, each of said envelopes including a. sheet of a pliant material of high reflecti'vity forming each of. the four-sides thereof, the adjacent'ends of the four sheets forming eachof said envelopes being secured together at the corners: thereof, a plurality of hollow inflatable spacers for holding said envelopes in spaced relationship,. said spacers being arranged in sup porting contact with the corners of. said envelopes, each ofv said spacers: including a plurality of spaced supporting portions, each of said sup-- porting portions being in" contact with and sup-- porting. a. corner portion of oneof said envelopes, and means for affording deflation of said spacers to'partially collapsesaidl structure for facilitating insertion thereof between the spaced inner and outeriwalls of said: cabinet.

WILLIAM G.- SPIEGELHALTER'.

References; Gited in. the file of. this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Namev Date 1",45'7;49.6 Butler June 5, 1 923 2,104,548 Schweller. Jan. 4, 1938.

2,449,591 Couse Sept. 21, 1948" 

